Herbarium of the Colours of the West: Seasonal Colours and Plants of the Territory

Herbarium of Western Colours: Seasonal Colours and Local Plants

Each territory has its own colour palette. Leaves, flowers, bark, fruit, seeds, galls and plant residues change throughout the year and offer different possibilities for colour extraction. This workshop proposes observing the landscape through the plants around us, recognising dye resources available in each season and experimenting with the colours they can produce. The result depends on the place, season, plant and part used.

I want to discover — 2h30

Discover plants from the territory that can produce colour, experiment with plant baths and compare the results in a small sampler.

I want to continue learning — 4h

Learn to observe, collect and transform seasonal plants into a colour palette, compare extractions and understand the influence of the plant, part used, concentration and modifiers.

I want to gain my autonomy — 2 days

Build a palette from available plants, from fibre preparation and mordanting to responsible gathering, extraction and application. You will learn to distinguish fibres, prepare fabrics, identify dye plants, carry out different extraction methods, compare results, document place, date, species, proportions and process and build a colour library across the seasons.

General information

Private groups: yes
Schools and institutions: adaptable format
Workshop in the territory: possible when gathering and identification conditions allow
Professional/teacher training: may give rise to specific content, handled separately.